Eva-Kathrin Ehmoser

Eva-Kathrin Ehmoser is a full Professor and leads the Institute for Synthetic Bioarchitectures at the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). She is actively engaged in research, teaching, and scientific leadership, with a strong international profile in nanobiotechnology and synthetic biology.

Her research interests span complex bio(nano)materials, membrane biochemistry, cell-free protein synthesis, nanomaterials for diagnostics and therapeutics, and the environmental risk assessment of nanomaterials. She integrates biophysical, biochemical, and synthetic approaches to develop functional biomimetic systems and novel nanocarrier platforms. Her work bridges fundamental science with applications in medicine, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.

The recent publications highlight a strong trend toward bottom-up synthetic biology, using hydrogel-assisted giant vesicles and S-layer proteins, and advanced materials for sustainable technologies, including perovskite solar cells and ceramic implants. There is also a consistent focus on quantum dots for both medical and environmental applications, as well as the systematic classification and safety-by-design of nanocarriers.

Her scientific awards include:

• Traudl-Engelhorn Prize (2006)
• Habilitationsförderpreis des Bayerischen Staates (2003)

Ehmoser has advised numerous Master’s and PhD students, and her research is supported by grants from national (FWF, FFG) and European (EU) funding agencies. She has led and participated in multiple projects on nanocarriers, nanotoxicology, and advanced materials. She also holds significant community service roles, including as President of the Austrian Erwin Schrödinger Society for Nanosciences and Vice-President of the Austrian Nanoinformation Commission (NIK), and has served on editorial boards and as a reviewer for major journals.

She leads a dynamic research group focused on synthetic bioarchitectures, with active collaborations across Austria and internationally, particularly in Singapore. The lab specializes in membrane protein expression, nanomaterial characterization, and the development of bio-inspired platforms for sensing and delivery.